The Times reported that Gates started receiving payments on a monthly basis after Trump took office in early 2017 from companies owned or headed by GOP mega-donor Elliott Broidy and Trump inaugural committee chairman Thomas Barrack.

Broidy, who previously served as a member of the Republican National Committee's (RNC) finance team, paid Gates at least $125,000 in exchange for advice on the Trump administration’s foreign policy plans and on how to go about securing contracts for his associates, the Times reported.

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The report cited hacked emails of Broidy’s that were provided to the newspaper and other outlets by an anonymous individual or group that opposed Broidy's political work on behalf of other countries. The Times said it confirmed details of Broidy’s arrangement with Gates with additional sources.

In addition to Broidy, the Times reported that Colony NorthStar, a company led by Barrack, paid Gates $20,000 a month for consulting work starting in early 2017.

Barrack is a longtime friend of the president's and led his inaugural committee.